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Labor’s energy stunts hurting householders

The Labor Government’s $50 bonus offered to people who compare energy prices is nothing but a stunt, Nationals Member for Ovens Valley Tim McCurdy said.

Speaking in Parliament this week, Mr McCurdy called on the Government to address the problems it had created.

“My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, and the action that I seek is that the minister resolve the $50 rebate debacle that is causing so much grief for individuals, including pensioners and our most vulnerable Victorians who need the rebate the most,” Mr McCurdy said.

“The Minister for Energy has tried to hoodwink the Victorian public by setting up another sham process for Victorians to shop around and get better power prices for their homes.

“A $50 rebate was offered — and personally I do not know anyone who would not want a free 50 bucks — but constituents are telling me that they cannot access the website.

“Some do not have the internet, some do not have the skills to go to the library and search and many have just given up after three or four attempts.”

Mr McCurdy said the minister needed to admit this was a stunt that had only built up hope for so many and delivered so little for most.

“Like most of Labor's stunts, this one has backfired on them again,” he said.

“The action required is that the minister explain to Victorians how she will fix this monumental stuff-up and deliver the rebates like she promised.”

Mr McCurdy said he had also spoken to an Ovens Valley resident who was deemed ineligible for Labor’s solar panel rebate.

“I have recently spoken to a Wangaratta pensioner who has six solar panels on his roof but not enough to be that much of a power saver,” he said.

“He applied for the new Daniel Andrews solar panel rebate - his income is less than $180,000 and his house is valued at under $3 million but because he already had some panels he was denied access to the scheme.

“This is a pensioner who wants to slow down the household bills and Daniel Andrews turns his back again.”